CHRISTIAN BROTHERS' SCHOOLS, DUNEDIN.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XVII, Issue 36, 27 December 1889, Page 18

CHRISTIAN BROTHERS' SCHOOLS, DUNEDIN.

On TiHßday the boys of these schools gave an entertainment in the concert hall of the Exhibition. The programme consisted of recita. tions singing and gymnastic exercises, and was carried out to the satisfaction of the audience, which, considering that the hour, three o clock m the afternoon, was not particularly convenient, was numeroua, and contained many members of other denominations. The songs sung as choruses, harmonised and without accompaniment, were Zealandia, •• Home of the true and brave," •• Rocked in the cradle of the deep ' ' Believe me if all those endearing young charms," "The Minstrel Boy," and "God defend New Zealand '"—each of which was given by the Young Cecilians correctly and in good tune the expression required by the words being also well brought out A double quartette, also forme 1 of the Young Cecilians, gave some really excellent performances, consisting of " The merry mill wheel " » The fairy boy,' " Polaski's banner," » Be kind to the loved ones," and Homeward Bound., Tbe singing of these selections was admirable, ana it is difficult to conceive how the: could be more pleasingly

given. The boyß had evidently been well chosen for the parts allotted to them, and in every respect acquitted themselves so as thoroughly to deserve applause. S.multaneous recitations and readings were also given with intelligence and precision— that of Edgar Poe's "Bells" was especially good. The gymnastic exercises, as usual, were watched by the audience with greit interest, and gained for the boys engaged in them hearty applause. They consisted of dumbbell ana wand exercises to music, played on the piano by the professor, Mr. Oscar David ; vaulting, and climbing the rope. The feats peiformed especially in the last-named undertaking by very little fellows completely astonished the house. The whole performance, however, was extremely good. Recitations were given intelligently, and with clearness and proper emphasis by Masters Frank Delaney, Kustena O'Neil, Arthur Hall, and Francis Murphy, and Master Frank Heley gave a humorous reading from Thackeray's Mrs. Caudle. On the whole, the entertainment was very enjoyu £■ went L to Bu stain the high reputation as teachers acquired by the Christian Brothers. The boys, who wore the scarfs and badges v th2ir , varioußconfr aternitieß, with the colours of their school in the shape of a green rosette looked very niceon the platform, in number lb6, and their conduct was all that could be desired. Every mark of well-managed schools was indeed apparent.